The Department of Health and Hospitals announced two grant awards totaling more than $56 million to aid in restoring access to health care in Katrina-impacted communities. The grants were awarded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The Professional Workforce Supply Grant, worth $35 million, will go toward recruiting and retaining licensed health care professionals for the Greater New Orleans area, which is still experiencing extreme shortages of care workers. These funds will bolster an existing grant already in place for the same purpose, which created the Greater New Orleans Health Service Corps program. With this new funding, the state hopes to attract 600 more health care professionals for employment.

The four parishes targeted by this grant are Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines. The federal funds will be used to attract the services of physicians (including pediatricians, internists, family practitioners, obstetricians and psychiatrists), dentists, registered nurses(including nurse practitioners), physician assistants, and other licensed professional health care staff. The grant money will be split evenly between recruitment and retention.

“With these funds, we can further our goal of restoring Louisianas health care system to full capacity,” said DHH Secretary Dr. Fred Cerise. “When doctors and nurses receive grant money through the Greater New Orleans Service Corps, they agree to work in the state for three years. This long-term employment is a necessary component to sustaining the systems workforce.”

The Provider Stabilization Grant, worth $26.2 million, will be used to make payments to health care facilities to ease the financial burdens experienced with rising operating costs as a result of Hurricane Katrina. This grant will benefit hospitals, inpatient psychiatric facilities, community mental health centers and skilled nursing facilities in the 31 parishes affected by Hurricane Katrina, as designated by FEMA.

A total of 287 facilities are set to receive funding from this grant to offset their increased operating costs. The state was directed to make payments to all of the above-mentioned facilities that are currently paid under a Medicare prospective payment system and are located in a Katrina-impacted community.

These payments will enable our health care facilities to continue operating and caring for patients, explained Dr. Cerise. Since Katrina, hospitals have had difficulty hiring and retaining staff due to changes in wage rates among employers competing for health care workers. This grant will help offset those increased costs until the change in wage rates can be reflected in Medicare payment methodologies in 2009.

Both grants are effective immediately and have been approved through September 30, 2009.

Submitted by Rob Anderson. Filed under Post-Hurricane Healthcare

Comments

HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR THE GRANT FOR REGISTERED NURSES?
CHRISTY STEELE on July 18th, 2007

What are the requirements for the grant and who qualifies?
Gayle Gardner on July 18th, 2007

Please send me all the information needed for a RN to qualify for the grant.
Rosalind Brown on July 19th, 2007

Please send me all of the necessary information for me,a Registered Nurse,to apply/qualify for this grant.
JULIETTE S. PHIPPS on July 21st, 2007

Please send me all of the necessary information for me,a Registered Nurse,to apply/qualify for this grant.
JULIETTE S. PHIPPS on July 21st, 2007

Please send RN grant information to qualify and apply.
Tonya Lee on July 21st, 2007

Please send grant information for RN's to me
Robert Lee on July 21st, 2007

Are there any plans to include Tangipahoa or St Tammany Parishes for the "Professional Workforce Supply Grant"?
T Lee on July 21st, 2007

Please send RN grant information to me regarding how to qualify and apply. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
a. poche on July 22nd, 2007

Pease send me the necessary documents to apply for loan re-payment assistance. I am an RN working in Tangipahoa Parish. Our hospital needs incentives to retain staff. Since Katrina, our hospital census has been maxed!
leslie on July 23rd, 2007

INTERESTED IN APPLYING
J BOATRIGHT on July 23rd, 2007

RN from louisiana working needs to know how to apply!!
Jenia Mannery on July 23rd, 2007

Please send facility and individual information and applications.
Please Send Application and guidelines on July 26th, 2007

Please send facility and individual guidelines and applications R.Jemison
Robert J Jemison II on July 26th, 2007

Please send all information and/or application necessary to apply for this grant. I am an RN currently working in the New Orleans area.
Jessica Oubre on July 27th, 2007

Please send info on this grant.I am a interested RN.
john on July 28th, 2007

would like all information/applications to apply also facility information
Shelia Williams LPN on July 30th, 2007

please sene application and individaual grant info
keith toups on July 30th, 2007

Please send me all necessary paperwork to apply for the grant. I am a respiratory therapist currently working in new orleans,la
Eileen Manuel on July 31st, 2007

I would like information/application about this grant
Dawn Lopea on August 1st, 2007

I would like information/application about this grant
Dawn Lopea on August 1st, 2007

I would like information/application about this grant
Dawn Lopea on August 1st, 2007

Can this grant be used to assist in the training of Nursing Assistants and/or Medical Secretaries? I am in the process of opening a school in September.
Marie Brown on August 2nd, 2007

please send me information/application for this grant,and participating fascilities. I am an RN in Slidell.
elaine cole on August 2nd, 2007

I am an LPN currently relocated to Louisiana and would like more info on the application process.
Jessica George on August 2nd, 2007

CAN YOU PLEASE SEND ME AN APPLICATION FOR THE RN GRANT
Kenisha Hampton on August 2nd, 2007

I would like information/application for this grant
April on August 4th, 2007

I am a RN and live in Mississippi. I am interested in this oppourtunity. How do I apply, could you email me an application?
cartrica thomas on August 4th, 2007

Can you please send me information about this grant for RN's and how to apply? Thanks so much. Natasha Gill
Natasha Gill on August 7th, 2007

Please send me the information on how to apply.
S. Robinson on August 8th, 2007

Please send info re grant for RNs
Melinda on August 8th, 2007

please e-mail me information/application on how to apply thanks
charlie orellana on August 9th, 2007

Please send info on this grant for Social Worker. Thank you very much.
Anita Landry on August 9th, 2007

hi! I am a Radiological Technologist in St.Bernard Parish and would like an application please or info on how to apply. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Donna on August 9th, 2007

I am interested in this and currently am employed in a non-profit hospital in St. Tammany. Please send me info regarding this. Thanks!
Kim Stevens on August 9th, 2007

Please send me info on grant
Darnell on August 9th, 2007

I would like all necessary information to get this grant
Natalie Harry on August 9th, 2007

Please send me info about this grant. I am a healthcare worker in new orleans.
Jenny on August 9th, 2007

PLEASE SEND ME INFO ABOUT THIS GRANT.
JOHN CALDERARA RN on August 10th, 2007

Please send me information abut this grant. I am an RN in Metairie Louisiana
Stephanie on August 11th, 2007

I don't understand why St. Tammany Parish is not one of these parishes. We were damaged significantly and the population of sick patients has significantly increased, which increases the need for more healthcare workers.
Glenn House CRNA on August 14th, 2007

I am an LPN and work in New Orleans. How can I apply for this grant. I work in a long term care facility.
Carol on August 14th, 2007

Please send me an application for the grant for RNs. 415 Wingate Dr Baton Rouge LA 70815 I work for Tulane in NO.
Mary Ann Giardina RN on August 15th, 2007

Please send me the grant application for RNs. I work @ Tulane University Hospital and Clinic.
Cherie Hill RN on August 15th, 2007

I am a Family Nurse Pratitioner Student of NY with expected graduation in May 08. I am interested in any and all info to assist with financial assistance and incentives to begin practice in LA. I worked the summer of 07 in Baton Rouge at BRGH with success and satisfaction. Please help with info.
Brenda Carney, BSN, FNP-S on August 15th, 2007

I am interested in receiving information about the grant, also receiving an application. I am a CNA who is currently enrolled in school for Nursing at Delgado Community in New Orleans, does this apply to me also?
SMcKnight on August 16th, 2007

I am interested in receiving information about the grant, also receiving an application. I am a CNA who is currently enrolled in school for Nursing at Delgado Community in New Orleans, does this apply to me also?
SMcKnight on August 16th, 2007

I am current nursing student and will be graduating in the fall. I would like to know if I can apply and where do I get the paper work.
Angella Cerise on August 17th, 2007

I am an RN, BSN with 10 years critical care and psych experience. PLEASE send me the information to sign up. Thanks
LEWIS G WALLACE, RN, BSN on August 18th, 2007

Please email info. on how to apply for the grant for RN's to stay in La.
angela walsh on August 19th, 2007

I sent an application in and forgot to add the letter from my employer. I am a contract nurse and the contracts end in 4 weeks. How can I get the letter to you. Or should I remail the entire packet along with the letter? I am actively seeking employment in New Orleans. I was told it was ok to be a full time pool nurse at one of the specified facilities as long as I was hired by the facility and worked 3 years. Is this fact?
Sharon on August 19th, 2007

I would like information/application regarding grant.
S. Bryant, LPN on August 20th, 2007

I would like information on the LPN application for this grant program!
Rhonda Hall on August 21st, 2007

I would like some information regarding crna and what hospitals are needing staff. thank you
wagner C. on August 22nd, 2007

I would like info on how to apply for this grant for RNs. also I have a child in nursing school can this apply to her for the future
kay s on August 27th, 2007

If RN's in Tangipahoa parish are eligible for this grant please send me an application.
M Huggins on August 27th, 2007

Please send me info regarding this grant. I am a LPN and a student RN. I graduate in DEC 2007. Should I apply before or after graduation?
Linda Barbara on August 28th, 2007

I have currently left New Orleans but still have a home and current LA RN license can you please send me an application
Lauren Swalm on August 29th, 2007

Please send an application. Thank you
A. Rome on September 12th, 2007

Please send me the necessary application to apply for the grant for RNs. Is it limited to the New Orleans area or strictly in New Orleans?
Lori Huffman on September 12th, 2007

I have a master's degree in Healthcare Management. Please send necessary information to apply for this grant. We are the money makers for the hospitals and physician offices.
Kathy Morris on September 18th, 2007

Please send the information on how to apply. Thank you.
Kermit Groat on September 19th, 2007

please send info on how to apply
daphne valteau on September 21st, 2007

PLEASE SEND ME INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY.
Yvette Benjamin on September 30th, 2007

Please send me information on how to apply
Stacie Hohensee on October 4th, 2007

Please send me information on how to apply. I am a student RN
Stacie Hohensee on October 4th, 2007

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW STATUS OF NURSING GRANTS FOR NURSES WHO MOVED BACK TO REGION 1 AND COMMITTED TO 3 YEAR CONTRACT
KAREN S ZIEBOL on October 18th, 2007

Please send me information on how to apply. Thank you.
Julie Brown on November 7th, 2007

How do I apply for the grant for registered nurse?
Rita Hemphill on November 9th, 2007

How can you give some nurses the grant and not others? I sent an application in and never heard from you yet. I suppose I will not get anything although I worked before the hurricaine and still working. How do explain how just some nurses qualify and some don't.
cindy goudeau on December 9th, 2007

I AM INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A GRANT FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL FOR FAMILY PRACTICTIONER/NURSE ANESTH.
ERLINDA WEATHERSBY on January 11th, 2008

RN calif. grant info. pleas. 310 8496633
paula on February 4th, 2008

Local private practice solo physician interested in grant to stay in the area. Practice in need of financial assistance to stay in the area... any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. Info needed ASAP!
St Tammany Physician on February 4th, 2008

I am an LPN & would like an application and information needed to apply for grant to relocate to Louisiana. Thank you.
Evette Fox on March 3rd, 2008

I am an RN interested in moving to louisiana to work. Would you please send me more information about the grant? Thanks alot!!!
maggie schouest on April 7th, 2008

I am an RN interested in moving to louisiana to work. Would you please send me more information about the grant? Thanks alot!!!
maggie schouest on April 7th, 2008

I am an RN interested in moving to louisiana to work. Would you please send me more information about the grant? Thanks alot!!!
maggie schouest on April 7th, 2008

I am an RN interested in moving to louisiana to work. Would you please send me more information about the grant? Thanks alot!!!
maggie schouest on April 7th, 2008

I am an RN interested in moving to louisiana to work. Would you please send me more information about the grant? Thanks alot!!!
maggie schouest on April 7th, 2008

What are the requirements for the grant and who qualifies? Please send me all the information needed for a RN to qualify for the grant. Thank you!
christina on April 15th, 2008

Please send me all of the information required to apply. thanks.
Holly Pollack on April 22nd, 2008

I have asked for the necessary information/paperwork needed to apply for this grant - and have yet to recieve any. Is anyone responding to these comments/questions???
maggie Schouest on June 10th, 2008

Interested in applying for grants that would be helpful with providing adequate medical and community services to families. We are in the St. Charles Parish area of Louisiana.
St Charles Community Health Cntr on September 5th, 2008

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